Promoting Accessibility and Inclusion in the Colmore Business District

We are committed to improving accessibility and making the Colmore Business District an inclusive space for all. This page provides valuable information and resources to help businesses enhance accessibility, support employees and visitors with disabilities, and engage with key awareness initiatives.

What You’ll Find on This Page:

• Links to resources and guides to improve accessibility in your business.
• Information on upcoming events and key awareness dates.
• Details of charities and organisations offering support and advocacy.

AccessAble Detailed Accessibility Guide

In preparation for Disability Access Day, we encourage businesses in the Colmore area to enhance their accessibility by partnering with AccessAble. AccessAble offers comprehensive access guides, assessed by qualified professionals, to help businesses understand and improve their accessibility features.

For a limited time, small venues can obtain a guide for as little as £1, with significant discounts available for larger organisations. These guides are showcased on AccessAble’s trusted website, which attracts over 6 million users.

Please note, funding for this offer is on a first-come, first-served basis and must be completed before the end of March 2025.

Independent Living: A Resource Hub

Independent Living has been providing free information and advice since 1999. Their platform serves as a valuable resource for individuals seeking guidance on various aspects of living with a disability, including daily living aids, mobility solutions, and accessible home design. Businesses can also benefit from their insights on creating inclusive environments.

Support for Unpaid Carers: Mobilise

Caring for a family member or friend with a disability, long-term illness, or who is elderly can be challenging. Mobilise is a charity dedicated to supporting unpaid carers by offering assistance with finances, practical help, and personal well-being. Their online platform provides access to resources, community support, and guidance to help carers navigate their responsibilities.

Accessibility Assessment Worksheet

To assist venues in evaluating and improving their accessibility, we are providing a downloadable PDF worksheet developed by Fatt Projects as part of their Mobilise project. Although the project has concluded, this worksheet remains a valuable, cost-free tool for night-time and hospitality venues aiming to assess and enhance their accessibility features.

Upcoming Events: Disability and Access Awareness

We are proud to announce that, for the first time, the we will host a Disability and Access Awareness Hour during Colmore Food Festival on Friday, 4 July 2025. This initiative is in partnership with the Birmingham Disability Festival, which will take place the following day, Saturday, 5 July 2025, at Aston University. The festival is a celebration of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, featuring live performances, workshops, and information stalls. We encourage businesses and individuals to participate and support this vibrant event.

Key Charities and Organisations

We also wish to highlight several charities that provide invaluable support and advocacy for individuals with disabilities:

• Scope – A charity dedicated to achieving a society where all disabled people enjoy equality and fairness.
• Disability Rights UK – An organisation led by disabled people, working to create a society where everyone with lived experience of disability or health conditions can participate equally as full citizens.
• Sense – A charity supporting people living with complex disabilities, including those who are deafblind, to communicate and experience the world.

These organisations offer resources, support services, and advocacy to promote disability rights and inclusion.

Get Involved!

There’s three ways you can get participate:

We invite venues in the Colmore Business District to get in touch if you would like to learn more about accessibility and inclusivity for disabled employees. We are happy to share resources and signpost you to relevant support.

Are you a Disability Confident Employer? Let us know so we can help promote your initiatives and work within the business community.

If you are organising a disability awareness day, event, or festival, we would love to hear from you. We can help promote and support your event to ensure it reaches the widest audience possible.

If any of the above caught your eye please get in touch today.